Introduction
Today, we're reviewing the highly sought-after Remus Repeal Reserve Batch VIII Bourbon Whiskey from the Ross & Squibb Distillery, also known as MGP (Midwest Grain Products). MGP is a powerhouse in the whiskey world, known for supplying some of the best sourced bourbons. However, this is a product under their own label, which is always exciting. Remus Repeal Batch VIII is a blend of three bourbons: a 17-year-old high-rye bourbon (21% rye) and two 10-year-old bourbons (one at 21% rye and the other at 36% rye). This blend clocks in at 101 proof and promises to be a high-rye, bold whiskey experience. Let’s dive in and see how it stacks up!
This review is taken from our episode "The Help / Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon (Batch VIII)." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: This is a beautiful nose. Right up front, there’s some maraschino cherry, followed by leather, cinnamon, and a bit of black pepper. I even get some apple pie filling—though not the full pie experience, just the filling. What’s interesting is I’m not picking up on much caramel. I’m giving it a 9/10.
Bob: I agree with a lot of those notes, but I’m struck by how much this smells like a high-rye bourbon. It’s spicy, with hints of leather and apple pie spices, but I also get a bright, tart quality—like green apple. It’s a bit prickly on the nose, which might be from the rye. Overall, it’s a great combination of sweet and spicy. I’m giving it an 8/10.
Taste
Brad: The palate is really nice. The first thing that hits me is this granulated sugar vibe, with that cherry flavor continuing from the nose. There’s also this nutty, almost fatty cashew flavor that I really like, followed by a slight minty note. This is a delicious whiskey to drink. I’m giving it an 8.5/10.
Bob: I’m really struggling here. For me, this is over-oaked. That 17-year-old bourbon component is really standing out, and I find the oak to be bitter and overpowering. The mouthfeel is thin, and the toasted oak note dominates from start to finish. It’s not my preferred flavor profile, but I can tell it’s well-made. I’m giving it a 6.5/10.
Finish
Brad: The finish is where this whiskey really shines for me. It’s long-lasting, with more of that leather, cherry syrup, and a little tobacco. There’s some nice peppery spice from the rye that lingers for a good 15 minutes after the sip. It’s incredible. I’m giving the finish a 9/10.
Bob: The finish really brings this whiskey back up for me. The bitterness from the oak dissipates, and I’m left with some sweet cherry and spice notes. It’s almost like a weeded bourbon in how sweet it finishes. I’m giving it an 8/10.
Balance
Brad: The balance here is spot-on. Every flavor seems to complement the others, and I think they’ve done a great job blending this. I’m giving the balance a 9.5/10.
Bob: I’m not as sold on the balance. It starts high with the nose, dips for me with the oakiness on the palate, then comes back up with the finish. It’s an up-and-down experience for me, and while I can appreciate the quality, it’s not hitting the mark consistently. I’m giving it a 6.5/10.
Value
Brad: For around $102, I think this is a really good whiskey, especially when you consider the complexity and the aged components. I’d definitely pay that for a bottle. I’m giving the value an 8.5/10.
Bob: This is where I’m conflicted. While I think it’s fairly priced for what it is, I wouldn’t personally pay over $100 for this whiskey, given my experience with it. It’s a good bourbon, but not one I’d spend that much on. I’m giving the value a 6.5/10.
Final Scores
Brad: My final score is 44.5/50. This is a fantastic whiskey—complex, flavorful, and worth the price. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys a well-made high-rye bourbon.
Bob: I’m coming in at 35.5/50. Even though it’s not in my flavor wheelhouse, I can appreciate the quality. If you’re into oak-forward whiskeys, you’ll probably love it.
Combined Score: Our combined score is 40/50.
Conclusion
Remus Repeal Batch VIII is a high-quality bourbon that Brad absolutely loves, and while Bob wasn’t as impressed, it still scored well enough to hit the 35/50 mark where we typically recommend trying a pour or buying a bottle. If you’re into high-rye, oaky bourbons, this one might be worth the investment. However, for those who prefer a sweeter, less oaky profile, it might not be worth the $100+ price tag. Keep that in mind when deciding whether to give this one a shot!
